Manchester Art Gallery

Over het museum

Manchester Art Gallery grew out of the Royal Manchester Institution, a society formed in 1823 for the promotion of the arts. Its neoclassical building on Mosley Street, designed by Sir Charles Barry and built between 1824 and 1835, is listed as Grade I. In 1882 the building and its collections passed to Manchester Corporation, which turned it into a public art gallery. Barry also designed the neighbouring Athenaeum on Princess Street, built in 1837 and listed as Grade II*, which is now part of the gallery.

The gallery closed in 1998 for a major refurbishment and extension and reopened in 2002 after a project costing about £35 million. Hopkins Architects designed the new building that links the two historic buildings, giving the gallery a large glass atrium. The extension was controversial when it opened.

The collection includes about 25,000 works of fine and decorative art. It is particularly strong in Victorian art, with major Pre-Raphaelite paintings such as The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt, and also holds work by L. S. Lowry and a fashion collection with couture pieces. Manchester Art Gallery is run by Manchester City Galleries, part of Manchester City Council, and a charitable trust raises a large share of its funding. Entry is free, and the gallery offers family spaces such as the Lion's Den, regular tours and a programme for early years.

Hoogtepunten

• Pre-Raphaelite and Victorian paintings, including The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt
• Works by L. S. Lowry
• Fashion collection with couture pieces
• The Lion's Den family gallery
• Barry's neoclassical Grade I listed building with a modern glass atrium
• Regular tours, including British Sign Language and audio description tours

Vaste collectie

• Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art – Paintings by Pre-Raphaelite artists such as Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown and William Holman Hunt, shown in the historic galleries.
• Fashion gallery – A display of couture and fashion pieces from the gallery's costume collection.
• The Lion's Den – A family gallery with drop-in play and making activities.

Opgericht

1824

Beheerder

Manchester City Council (Manchester City Galleries)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

Entry is free and no booking is required; some special events may charge a fee. The gallery suggests allowing about 90 minutes.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie

The main entrance on Mosley Street has a ramp from Nicholas Street with handrails, and the Princess Street entrance has a wheelchair lift and stairs. Two glass lifts in the atrium serve the first and second floors. Accessible toilets are on the ground and first floors and do not need a RADAR key. Manual wheelchairs and walkers can be borrowed on arrival, and seating and light portable stools are provided throughout. Large print guides in 17-point type are in the galleries, and ear defenders can be borrowed at the information desk. Regular gallery tours are given in British Sign Language, and audio description tours run regularly. A multifaith and quiet space is on the first floor in Gallery 12. Guide and assistance dogs, including dogs in training, are welcome. Blue Badge bays are on Nicholas Street and George Street, about 50 metres from the main entrance. Visitors can call the visitor team on 0161 235 8888 for help.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Doe- en voelstations
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte
• Speeltuin / speelhoek

The Lion's Den, a family gallery next to Gallery 1, is open during gallery hours with drop-in play such as den building with large cushions and table tennis; it is sometimes used for private family events. Baby changing is in the family toilets on the ground floor. Buggies can be left in the glass atrium or taken up in the lifts. An exhibition for children under three, Things of the Least, runs until 30 November 2026. Family activities, creative sessions for families in school holidays, Baby Social sessions for babies and sessions for autistic children and their families.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The main entrance is on Mosley Street; a second entrance is on Princess Street.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Kluisjes

The Gallery Cafe is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with last orders at 4:30pm. A gallery shop is open to visitors. Lockers on the ground floor in front of the family toilets need a non-refundable £1 coin.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen
• Bruiloften / trouwceremonies

Rooms including the Victorian Hall, the Lecture Room and two meeting rooms can be hired for weddings, civil ceremonies, receptions, conferences and meetings. The exhibition spaces cannot be hired.

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